The Age of Reason; Being an Investigation of True and Fabulous Theology is a book by Anglo-American political writer Thomas Paine arguing for the philosophical position of deism. The deistic work criticized conventional Christianity and argued that the Bible is not the Word of God.
The work was written by Paine in a French prison – he had been jailed during the Reign of Terror for arguing for the life of King Louis XVI. Convinced he would soon be dead, the incarcerated political writer penned his assault on organised religion.
Inspired by Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe, The Age Of Reason was written in a populist style from the point of view of a Quaker who did not believe on organised religion.
Benjamin Franklin had enough respect for the Word of God to advise Thomas Paine not to publish The Age Of Reason as "The world is bad enough with the Bible, what would it be like without it."
Originally distributed as unbound pamphlets, The Age Of Reason was published in three parts. An American supporter of the French Revolution, Joel Barlow, published the first English edition of in 1794 in London, selling it for a mere three pence. The other two parts were published in 1795 and 1807.
The Age Of Reason was a bestseller in the United States, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival.
The young Napoleon Bonaparte slept with a copy of The Age of Reason under his pillow.
Although it favors deism while opposing atheism and Christianity, The Age of Reason gained Paine ill repute as an atheist and alienated most of his old friends. The writer eventually became disgusted with French politics and concentrated on the study of finance.
The caption for the George Cruikshank cartoon below reads: "The Age of Reason; or, the World turned Topsy-turvy exemplified in Tom Paine's Works!"
Paine retired to America travelling there in a ship placed at his disposal by President Thomas Jefferson. He died in New York City on June 8, 1809.
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| Several early copies of The Age of Reason. By BDEngler |
Inspired by Jonathan Swift and Daniel Defoe, The Age Of Reason was written in a populist style from the point of view of a Quaker who did not believe on organised religion.
Benjamin Franklin had enough respect for the Word of God to advise Thomas Paine not to publish The Age Of Reason as "The world is bad enough with the Bible, what would it be like without it."
 |
| Oil painting of Thomas Paine by Laurent Dabos, circa 1791 |
Originally distributed as unbound pamphlets, The Age Of Reason was published in three parts. An American supporter of the French Revolution, Joel Barlow, published the first English edition of in 1794 in London, selling it for a mere three pence. The other two parts were published in 1795 and 1807.
The Age Of Reason was a bestseller in the United States, where it caused a short-lived deistic revival.
The young Napoleon Bonaparte slept with a copy of The Age of Reason under his pillow.
Although it favors deism while opposing atheism and Christianity, The Age of Reason gained Paine ill repute as an atheist and alienated most of his old friends. The writer eventually became disgusted with French politics and concentrated on the study of finance.
The caption for the George Cruikshank cartoon below reads: "The Age of Reason; or, the World turned Topsy-turvy exemplified in Tom Paine's Works!"
Paine retired to America travelling there in a ship placed at his disposal by President Thomas Jefferson. He died in New York City on June 8, 1809.
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